The figures published as part of the latest study on the topic of "Queer homeless people in the USA" make you sit up and take notice. According to the "Trevor Project", an organization that deals with issues such as homelessness and the like, almost 30 percent(28 percent to be precise) of queer young people in the USA have been homeless or at least lived in a difficult housing situation. And: 40 percent of these homeless people are transgender or non-binary.

The mental situation of those affected is no better. Their risk of developing depression is four times higher than that of queers living in relevant shelters. Another part of the study shows how dangerous the whole thing is. One in three queer homeless people attempted suicide within the year 2021.

Study on queer homeless in the U.S. published

Loads in different areas

If you take a little time to put yourself in the shoes of the queer homeless, you may understand how hopeless the situation seems for them. They have to deal every day anew with problems such as housing or the search for shelter in general, lack of money,(possibly) racism and homophobia. It should be clear to everyone that, among other things, their psyche suffers as a result.

In addition, the Corona pandemic has not made the situation any easier for those affected. Many people(including, of course, those who are not queer or homeless) are currently looking to the future with concern. Accordingly, it could well be that the suicide rate among queer homeless people will now increase even further.

One "detail" that most homeless people lack: a sense of belonging. Especially in a pandemic, a community can be perceived as a strong construct. If this is missing, the situation seems even a little more hopeless.

Many assistance services cannot be used by homeless people

The fact that many people find it comparatively easy(or at least easier than others) to make their way through the pandemic period is partly due to the fact that they have access to help.

Many of these said offers have shifted to the Internet. For example, anyone who wants to take a sick day or get advice (or even just "meet" with friends) can use chat services and the like. Of course, this is only possible if Internet reception and terminal equipment are available. Even this option, which many people take "forgranted," falls away for many homeless people. At the same time, many people without a place of refuge also have problems getting counseling because they fear losing face within the community or revealing too much about themselves. A vicious circle from which it is becoming increasingly difficult to break out.

What does the study show?

The study around queer homeless people that was recently released shows once again the scope of the issues that many people face every day - not just in the U.S., of course.

In addition, it becomes apparent that it is probably the stress on different levels(existential fear, racism, homophobia and the search for oneself) that ensures that many people at a certain point no longer know what to do and in the worst case commit suicide.

Accordingly, it is all the more important to keep drawing attention to offers of help. If you are looking for help in Germany, you can reach people who can help at the telephone helpline(Tel.: 0800 1110111). You can find the corresponding Internet service at telefonseelsorge.de.

 

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